Summer Highlights from Nationals Academy

September 21, 2022

This summer, nearly 100 youth from Wards 7 and 8 participated in the Academy’s summer program. Off-campus events provided additional opportunities to highlight Scholar Athletes. Check out highlights below!

With fall programming kicking off this week, here is a look back at highlights from this summer.

Free Vision and Dental Care for Scholar Athletes

VSP Vision Eyes of Hope and Washington Nationals team optometrist Dr. Keith Smithson provided free eye exams and glasses for Scholar Athletes attending the Academy’s summer enrichment program. More than 80 kids received free vision care and a pair of sunglasses to protect their eyes from UV rays.

Additionally, Team Smiles paid a visit to the Academy to provide dental services for almost 100 Scholar Athletes across all programs. They performed teeth cleanings, x-rays, dental work for those who needed it, and taught all of our Scholar Athletes about the importance of oral health.

Player and Ballpark Visits

Earlier this summer, Nationals players and coaches took a trip to the Academy to visit Summer BASE Program participants. HUSTLE and BASE Scholar Athletes also got the opportunity to meet players and Baseball Operations staff on field at Nationals Park before batting practice, and speak with team professionals about data-driven game preparation that impact a player’s mental approach.

Summer BASE Programming

Throughout June and July, nearly 100 Scholar Athletes participated in our summer enrichment program. In addition to hands-on classroom experiences, weekly field trips took Scholars offsite to water parks, bowling alleys, and museums. Various clubs were offered from gardening to cooking, and dance to coding. Club participants closed out programming this month by showcasing their skills and participating in classroom celebrations to recognize achievements over the summer.

Congressional Baseball Game for Charity

Nationals Academy graduate and rising high schooler Jeff Myers spoke to lawmakers and sponsors before the Congressional Baseball Game held at Nationals Park in late July. Jeff highlighted his experience at Nationals Academy and the impact of his coaches and teammates.

Prior to the game, college-bound Academy alumni Amir Makle received the inaugural Tim Johnson Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship, as well as continued mentorship from Academy coaches, has made it possible for Amir to attend his first-choice school, Morehouse College, this fall.

Jennie Finch Classic

A team representing the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy won Major League Baseball’s All-Star Jennie Finch Classic. Part of the 2022 All-Star Week festivities, the competitive youth softball tournament took place at the MLB Youth Academy in Compton, CA. Upon their return to D.C., the team was recognized on the field at Nationals Park for their championship win.